2021 Hyundai SANTA FE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
165 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
19,250 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 30 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 50 of 165 complaints (30.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 42 | 25.5% |
| Braking behavior | 28 | 17.0% |
| Engine operation | 17 | 10.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 3.6% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 1.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 1.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 50 |
| Unknown Or Other | 41 |
| Engine | 36 |
| Electrical System | 28 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 15 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 9 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 7 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 6 |
Power Train: 50; Unknown Or Other: 41; Engine: 36; Electrical System: 28; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 15; Fuel/Propulsion System: 9; Visibility/Wiper: 7; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 18 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 18; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (18). 135 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 19 |
| 2022 | 43 |
| 2023 | 35 |
| 2024 | 17 |
| 2025 | 21 |
| 2026 | 30 |
2021: 19; 2022: 43; 2023: 35; 2024: 17; 2025: 21; 2026: 30
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 42 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 28 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 17 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11418035 · 2021-05-21 (May 21, 2021)
It's only been less than a month, since I bought this car and I've driven ~500 miles. Now when I was driving the car yesterday it just stopped in the middle of the road all of a sudden for no reason. After getting the car towed to the service center, they are reporting that there is an issue with the car's transmission and they are going to replace it.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11418035 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11426782 · 2021-07-28 (July 28, 2021)
Engine shut off while driving 70mph in the middle of the mountains in PA during a road trip from VA to MI, 2 adults and one child. No Warning No Check Engine lights No alarms, just shut off. I tried to press the ignition start button but it would not function until the engine was in park, gave no warning or alarm when I pressed it, the engine start button wouldn't respond. At Shutoff, going ~70mph, I had: Zero acceleration Zero power No blinkers No Instrument Cluster (LED Cluster screen installed) The only way I could signal to merge …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11426782 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11416206 · 2021-05-11 (May 11, 2021)
THE FORWARD COLLISION SYSTEM IS AUTOMATICALLY BEING ACTIVATED WITHOUT ANY CAR OR OBJECT NEAR THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. IT HAPPENED 3 TIMES WHILE ON THE FREEWAY AND HIGHWAY. THE SYSTEM AUTOMATICALLY SLAMS ON THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE SWERVES A LITTLE TO LEFT AND RIGHT DUE TO THE SUDDEN APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES, AND A LARGE RED WARING INDICATOR APPEARS ON THE DASH. WE WERE NEARLY REAR ENDED WHILE TRAVELLING ABOUT 65 MILES/HR BECAUSE OF THIS. WE TURNED OFF THE SYSTEM, BUT EVERY TIME THE CAR IS STARTED, IT AUTOMATICALLY TURNS THIS FEATURE ON!! …
Owner-reported narrative. 1,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11416206 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11424621 · 2021-07-13 (July 13, 2021)
Message: I own a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe with the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist feature installed and activated. The Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist did not function properly to stop my car to avoid a low speed impact. I applied the brakes to stop. I could not avoid impacting another vehicle. The damage was minor. Hyundai did inspect my vehicle braking system on June 8 at Hyundai of Cool Springs. I was not provided full report on findings/corrective action. Hyundai America was supposed to provide a follow up report. I was called today and…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11424621 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11427111 · 2021-07-30 (July 30, 2021)
Vehicle stalled 5 times when finally got it to restart wouldn’t accelerate more than two mph. Broke down on a busy road was finally able to get the car into a parking lot but was almost hit from behind cause the vehicle was obstructing traffic. Towed to dealership where was told it would take them a week to look at it and they won’t provide any alternative transportation for me that I would have to pay out of pocket. My car is only 2 months and 2400 miles old
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11427111 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11434667 · 2021-09-28 (September 28, 2021)
Car would not start; battery was too low to activate lights or locks, let alone starter. An attempted jumper cable connection to an older car was insufficient to make the motor turn, even after just running the assist car while connected for 20+ minutes. A subsequent jump from the AAA 2000 Ah jump pack did work although their ‘test’ indicated battery state-of-charge and state-of-health to be less than 30%. Their obvious recommendation was battery replacement and, with the vehicle now running, a drive to the dealership was attempted. At the fir…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11434667 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11455725 · 2022-03-08 (March 8, 2022)
Car had a dead battery called road service they tested the battery said it had a bad cell they jumped it and I took it to the dealership they tested it by Hyundai protocol charged it for 60 minutes then load tested said it passed didn’t find anything wrong with it sent me on my way couple days later dead battery brought it back to dealer charged it tested it said nothing wrong sent me on my way. Have to jump car every couple of days
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11455725 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11475184 · 2022-07-21 (July 21, 2022)
17551 mileage. Parked vehicle. Placed in Park, set parking brake. Drivers seat moved full forward and leaned forward pinning me against the steering wheel forcing the breath out of me before I was able to stop the spontaneous movement. Restricted my breathing could have injured my ribs had I not stopped it.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11475184 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11493337 · 2022-11-13 (November 13, 2022)
While driving the crash avoidance emergency braking came on out of nowhere, and the steering locked up. I was driving on a straight and level roadway with no vehicles in front of me when suddenly the whole dash lit up with warning lights and the car, a 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, came to a emergency stop, the steering wheel was shaking and wouldn't turn. This was the second time this happened. The first time on 09/29/22 I called the car dealer and was told that "They knew of the problem and that there was no remedy". This is extremely dangerous, bo…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11493337 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11592099 · 2024-06-03 (June 3, 2024)
The fuel door release button on my SUV has stopped working. It is a press and spring opening fuel door. While trying to get gas, it would not open, prohibiting me from putting gas in my car. (May 18, 2024) I went to the dealer on a Saturday in an emergency instance and while in the lane, because the shop had no openings, the technician had to remove the inside trunk panel and other trunk parts to separate the fuel door compartment from the car to get the fuel door open. He put tape over the door engaging mechanism, so it would not engage an…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11592099 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11668144 · 2025-06-20 (June 20, 2025)
I am writing to formally report an issue with my vehicle that I believe may warrant a recall investigation. The issue involves the fuel door, which is failing to open after the car has been turned off. This has occurred repeatedly and is preventing me from refueling the vehicle, posing a significant inconvenience and potential safety concern. Despite ensuring that the vehicle is unlocked and powered down as instructed, the fuel door remains stuck and will not release. This malfunction requires manual intervention or technical assistance each ti…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11668144 at NHTSA ↗